• A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world
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    5 hours ago

    book in your car without having the cops hassle you.

    is this a reference to that video of the guy waiting out the rain in a gas station parking lot by reading a book in his car and getting absolutely harassed by the cops who very obviously wanted to provoke a larger issue?

    or is this a more common genre than i realize.

    • gluestick@lemmy.zip
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      2 hours ago

      I’m not arguing against the bullshit that is making homelessness an even greater indignity let alone crime. Fuck that all day forever.

      But I spent a greater part of three years voluntarily homeless (~15 years ago) to avoid violence at home. I consider myself extremely fortunate that I had a car I personally owned for most (but not all) of it which was a huge boon for me.

      When I had a car, I parked in the back of 24h parking lots such as Walmart. Lacking that I parked behind higher end, but not too high, restaurants that kept bars open to call (2am). I was aware that in the latter case people became aware of me, but I never had problems.

      When I didn’t have a car I found a ground level HVAC unit (behind grocery/department stores) because they were great at drowning out sound and giving me a relatively constant temperature.

      I avoided parks because they often have posted hours and are regularly checked by police.

      I’ve never been bothered by a cop. This is my truth, but not a justification.

      In some countries they literally make life easier for people to live, and even enjoy living, a travelers life. The US is not such a place

    • protist@retrofed.com
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      4 hours ago

      I guess there are some spots with particularly awful cops, but most places, as long as you’re not parked illegally, you can totally take a nap or hang out in your car no problem

      • A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.world
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        4 hours ago

        All spots have particularly awful cops.

        the only difference is some places have better PR/Coverup than others.

        • Fredthefishlord@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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          3 hours ago

          Cops by me let the striking union workers park their cars in illegal spots while we picketed at 2am in the middle of winter. It was their act of support for the union.

          Don’t make the assumption of thinking all cops are equally evil. Even pieces of shit have a lot of shades. I’ve been horrible, hating people who are nice to everyone, including black people, but are republican voting racist scum